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“Barbara Leake and the family she created have been a large part of my life for many years. Her "standards" are what come to mind first and I applaud...Read More »
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2 of 2 | Posted by: Elizabeth Field - Lowell, MA

Barbara had a passion for choral music and a special fondness for the Adirondack Region or any lake that is nestled in the hills and hosts Loons. After the Morning Loon Report came in from the lake, it was time to load up the canoe (of course the dog is coming) and paddle along the shore to make sure Mother Loon and her Children were content.

She presided as Matriarch at lakeside family reunions that featured many themes (some of us still have our hats and masks), universal birthday parties and memorable feasts. Conversations could be accompanied with tearful laughter and the deepest soul searching almost at once.

Throughout her life there were faithful canine and feline companions at her side: Gypsy, Mootsie, Randy, Tiger, Alex, Shadow, Tabitha and Ridge Lee. Her devotion to animals was reflected in many years of support and symbolic animal adoptions for the World Wildlife Fund.

Barbara's circle of friends will all tell of her professional pride, devotion, intelligence, sophisticated wit and a generously shared sense of humor. None will say that she was anything but the dearest and most faithful of friends. She was steel willed and could be quite stubborn. These characteristics carried her through many a tough time. Always preferring to give than to receive. No one was more trust worthy than Barbara.

Barbara received her Nursing Degree from Cornell University, New York Hospital, School of Nursing and her Master's Degree from The University of New Hampshire.

Her health care career spanned a generation. Barbara worked many years with the The Visiting Nurse Association of New Canaan, CT., She became the Continuing Care Coordinator for Stamford Hospital in Stamford, CT and then was The Director of The Stamford Visiting Nurse Association. She relocated to New Hampshire to become The Director of The Rockingham Visiting Nurse Association, based in Stratham. Barbara founded a Hospice program that served New Canaan, CT and the surrounding area and was instrumental in creating barrier free access to many sites there as well. She was a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a member of the Association for the Study of Dreams. Everyone she worked with and served had the utmost respect for her unfailing professionalism.

Barbara was very active in her church communities in South Salem, NY, New Canaan, CT and Exeter, NH. She was a musician and she sang with many choirs in her lifetime.

The daughter of Charles Russell Lewis Haight and Alice C. Spangler, Barbara was born and raised in Saratoga Springs, NY. She was married in New York City to James H. Leake (1927 – 1988) and with him raised their two children in Lewisboro, NY. She then moved to New Canaan, CT before settling in New Hampshire. Barbara died in Westmoreland, NH from complications of respiratory disease.

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Memories & Candles

What a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul. I am sorry for your family's loss.

Posted by: Carolyn Forbes - Boxford, MA Mar 30, 2015

Barbara Leake and the family she created have been a large part of my life for many years. Her "standards" are what come to mind first and I applaud her for maintaining them in the face of easier paths. I particularly want to note here her ability to listen and hear everything that wasn't said. To let you know how well she saw you and her ability to intimately connect with people. I enjoyed the company of her animal companions

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Barbara Leake and the family she created have been a large part of my life for many years. Her "standards" are what come to mind first and I applaud her for maintaining them in the face of easier paths. I particularly want to note here her ability to listen and hear everything that wasn't said. To let you know how well she saw you and her ability to intimately connect with people. I enjoyed the company of her animal companions as well, whom she allowed me to take swimming on occasion in Center Pond. She raised two very fine individuals who maintain her "standards" when they set about to accomplish anything. Every detail is meticulously attended to. I was also privileged to be included in a few of the lake vacations and family gatherings and they will forever reside in my cherished memories pile and serve as a reminder how important it is to set aside time and provide a space for family to connect. Thank you, Barbara. Safe passage.

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